Layla’s husband, Tom, has an annual tradition involving a family vacation that she isn’t invited to. After years of being excluded, Layla finally asks why she isn’t allowed to join, only for Tom to lie and blame his mother. But when Layla does her own digging, she and her mother-in-law discover a family secret that breaks the family apart.
My husband, Tom, has been going on an annual island vacation with his family since we had gotten married. That’s twelve years of family trips without me.
Every year, he’d pack his bags and leave our two kids and me behind.
“My mom doesn’t want in-laws on the trip, Layla,” he said. “You know this. It’s the same story every year. But still, you continue to ask about it.”
My husband rolled his eyes and sat on the couch, his hands wrapped tightly around his phone.
“Why don’t you just cancel this one, and we can take the kids on holiday instead?” I asked, tossing a salad to go with our dinner.
“Why would I do that?” he retorted. “The kids are too young and it will be chaotic. When they’re older, we can start talking about holidays with them.”
“And me?” I asked. “Are you sure your mom will mind?”
And that was when something snapped in me.
There, right on social media for everyone to see, was a carousel of photos from last year’s vacation. There was Tom, smiling widely next to his brother and sister-in-law. There were other photos of their sister and her husband, too.
But I was told that Tom’s mother didn’t want any in-laws on the trip?
“It’s clear that she just didn’t want you there,” I said to myself.
I needed to know more information before I blew up at my mother-in-law. As much as Denise seemed to have an issue with me, I knew that if I asked her straight up, she would give me an answer.
So, I decided to call Sadie, Tom’s brother’s wife. She was fairly new to the family, with them having only been married for about a year now.
So that’s what they thought. That I hadn’t been able to make their trip because of my children.
“Listen, Layla,” she said. “I’ve got to go, I’m getting another call. I’ll call you this evening!”
She hung up immediately.
I knew that my next move would be going to my mother-in-law. If anyone was at the root of this lie, it would be Denise.
“Wait, what?” I asked, stunned.
“Tell me what you know,” she said, pouring a glass of juice.
Shocked, I spilled everything. The photos, Tom’s lies, the years of being left behind with and without my sons.
And more than that, she became a constant presence in my life, always wanting to be around me and help wherever she could, and insisting on being an active grandmother to my kids.
“I never imagined that it would all come to this,” she said one afternoon as we sat in the living room together.
“Me neither,” I replied. “But at least we know the truth now.”
CELEBRITY NAMES WHO GOT CRITICISED FOR THEIR GRAY HAIR
SARAH JESSICA PARKER
The Carrie Bradshaw of “Sex and the City,” famous actress Sarah Jessica Parker was criticised for her makeup-free and with gray haired look, while having a dinner with Andy Cohen.
Many people caleld her old, because she has silver hair, but no one called Andy Cohen anything, who had more grays than Parker, and those comments were labeled as “misogynistic.”
58-year-old Parker had questioned people, that why they were questions about people who doesn’t care about being aged, in an interview.
“It almost feels as if people don’t want us to be perfectly OK with where we are, as if they almost enjoy us being pained by who we are today, whether we choose to age naturally and not look perfect, or whether you do something if that makes you feel better.”
“I know what I look like… What am I going to do about it? Stop aging? Disappear?” Parker added. “I like to be graceful with myself. I’m not delusional. I know that age adds up…” 58-year-old actress said.
DIANE KEATON
The 78-year-old famous Diane Keaton had faced with criticism in 2014, when she appeared with her silver hair at the Golden Globes. Many people from social media had criticised Keaton over her age.
Keaton had talked about aging gracefully, and stated that the grays in her head were her “battle scars,” and that a person shouldn’t be afraid to show them.
“I don’t see anything wrong with face-lifts or Botox or fillers. They just erase the hidden battle scars. I intend to wear mine, sort of,” Keaton said.
JENNIFER ANISTON
In 2023, the famous actress Jennifer Aniston had shared her gray hair from social media, and she received her share from the criticism towards aging.
“Anyone would think going gray was an anamomaly for tv/movie stars seriously!! We better give Jennifer a plack/award for it she’s soooo brave it’s never heard of [sic],” a person wrote.
Other comments were, “Well done for allowing gray to come through – refreshing,” “Aside from some bad lip work, she looks amazing.”
“I am sure she entered the gray hair stage a while back – she’s just starting to embrace it,” Nah. Dye it. I know, it’s empowering and all that nonsense. Do yourself a favor and make it blonde.” “Gray hair doesn’t suit you yet. Save it for later plz.”
The 55-year-old star actress shared that her Greek genes are the reason for her beauty, and that people should stay hydrated, and sleep for good hours. “Don’t overproduct, that’s the other thing. Getting proper sleep is always important,” Aniston said.
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